Circuit interrupters



J1me 1964 M. G. LEONARD CIRCUIT INTERRUPTERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 9, 1961 Fig. I

INVENTOR Merrill G. Leonard June 1964 M. G. LEONARD 3,

CIRCUIT INTERRUPTERS Filed May 9, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent Pennsylvania Filed May 9, 1961, Ser. No. 108,855

15 Claims. (Cl. 200-153) This invention relates generally to electric circuit interrupters, and, more particularly, to switching devices for interrupting high voltage circuits under load carrying conditions.

3,136,875 Patented June 9, 1964 ice embodying the present invention, and shown in environment with ahoused distribution transformer generally indicated at 11 and mounted upon a concrete pad 12. The switches 10, are mounted upon and extended through a tank wall 13 Where each switch is connected to one of the high voltage terminals of a transformer within the tank. A pair of cables 14, 14 each connect the other side of one of the switches 10, 10 to a fault indicator 15,

The circuit interrupter disclosed herein is a switch of the air break type and is intended primarily for use with a pad mounted transformer where it serves to permit the opening of either branch of the loop circuit supplying power to the high voltage side of the transformer, such as disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 97,897, filed March 23, 1961 and assigned to the same assignee as the present application. However, the principles and structure of the interrupter may be readilyapplied to high voltage circuit interrupters in general, whereever used.

It is an object of this invention to provide a high voltage circuit interrupter of the air break type in a unitary structure.

It is another object of this invention to provide a high voltage air break circuit interrupter having quick-break characteristics in combination with a disconnect switch, and interlocking means between the circuit interrupter and the disconnect switch to govern sequential operation of the interrupter and the switch.

It is another object of this invention to provide in combination a novel quick-break, quick-make operating mechanism in a circuit interrupter.

It is another object of this invention to provide in an air break high voltage circuit interrupter a novel toggle type contact mechanism for providing high contact pres- 40 arc chamber for providing quick arc quenching action sure in combination with are quenching meanswithin an when the contacts are separated.

These and other objects of this invention will become more apparent upon consideration of the following de tailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a pad mounted transformer combined with the air-break switch of this' invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, taken partly in section, of an air-break switch in combination with a disconnect switch embodying this invention;

FIG. 3 is a view, inside elevation, of a portion of the air-break switch of FIG. 2 shown in the closed position;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the air break switch taken substantially along the line IVIV of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the airbreak switch taken substantially along the lines VV of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view, taken partly in section, of a second embodiment of the combined air-break switch and disconnect switch;

FIG. 7 is an end 'elevational view of portions of the quick-break, quick-make switch operating mechanism of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view, taken in section, of the air break switch of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view partly broken away, of a second embodiment of switch grounding apparatus.

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, there is shown a pair of identical air-break high voltage switches 10, 10

and to underground cables (not shown) The circuit relationship between and among the transformer 11, cables 14, 14, switches 10, 10 generally, fault indicators 15, 15, and an underground circuit, are fully disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 97,897, filed March 23, 1961 and assigned to the same assignee as the present application.

The present invention relates to the air-break switch 10, per 'se, and, accordingly the remainder of the application is directed thereto.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 of the drawing, particularly to FIG. 2, there is disclosed a high voltage air break switching device generally indicated at 10 and cornprised of a mounting means generally indicated at 15, a movable contact toggle assembly generally indicated at 16, a fixed contactassembly generally indicated at 17, an arc quenching device generally indicated at 18, and, a quick-break operating assembly generally indicated at 19.

The support device 15 comprises a high voltage bushing 20 mounted upon and extending through transformer tank wall 13. The bushing is fixed to the wall by any suitable means, such as a ring clamp 21 bearing against the insulator 20 and attached to the wall 13 by any suitable means, such as bolts, not shown. The bushing 20 includes a central bore 22 for receiving the switching mechanism as hereinafter described in detail, and includes an annular restricted portion 23 near the inner end. Received within the bore 22 is a tubular member 26, comprised of electrically conducting material, such as aluminum, and having an outerportion 27 providing a cavity within the main portion of bore 22 and serving as a mount for the fixed contact assembly as hereinafter described, an intermediate restricted portion 28 within the restricted portion 23 of bore 22 and serving as a housing for the arc quenching means 18 as hereinafter described, and an out wardly threaded inner end portion 29 having an internal diameter smaller than the diameter of said intermediate portion 28 and serving as a stop member for the are quenching assembly 18. An integral terminal member 30 axially aligned with tube 26 there is threadedly received within the outer end of tubular member 26 a tubular member 32 serving as an arc chamber and also as a guide channel for the movable contact assembly 19 as hereinafter described in detail. An integral guide rib or trackv 33 is provided on the top of the inner wall of the tube 32 and extends parallel to the axis of the tube for guiding the I contact assembly 18 in a manner as hereinafter described.

The bore of the tube 32 is substantially the same in diameter as the intermediate portion 28 of the tube 26. The outer end of the tube 32 terminates outwardly of the mouth of the bore 22 and is fixed relative to the insulator 20 by means of a pair of opposing clamp members 37, 38 bearing laterally against the outer end of the tube 32 and fixed to the end of the insulator 20' by means of bolts 39. The tube 32 is comprised of a non-conducting material, preferably of a type which evolves arc quenching gas in the presence of an arc, such as highly polymerized formaldehyde.

The fixed contact assembly 17 comprises a single elonsneaeve 1L gated contact blade 40 fixedly mounted within the outer portion 27 of tube 26 in electrically conducting engagement with the top of tube 26 by means of screws 141, 141. The end of the blade is mounted flush against the inner end of tube 32 and extends laterally on the radius of portion 27 of tube 26 toward the axis of tube 26, terminating at its free inner side in alignment with the previously described rib member 33 on tube 32. The free side may be tapered along its length to receive the movable contact assembly 16 as hereinafter described.

The are quenching assembly 13 is slidably mated within tubular members 26 and 32 and comprises a cylindrical member 41 which may be either hollow or solid and having a diameter substantially the same as the inside diameter of tube 32 and the inside diameter of intermediate portion 28 of tube 26, and includes a slot 42 extending along its outer periphery longitudinally of its axis for receiving the previously described rib 33 and the free side of contact 40 as the cylinder 41 slides reciprocally within tube 32. The length of the cylinder 41 is substantially equal to the length of the intermediate portion 28 of tube 26 and the cylinder may be comprised of suitable arc quenching material, such as highly polymerized formaldehyde. The outer end of cylinder 41 carries a centrally mounted integral arm member 43 extending axially of the cylinder 41, which arm carries at its outer end a transverse pivot pin 44 positioned slightly'oif the axis of the cylinder 41 and tube 32 for mounting the movable contact assembly 16 as hereinafter described.

The movable contact assembly 16 is a toggle assembly for eifecting engagement and disengagement between the movable contact assembly 16 and the fixed contact assembly 17, and comprises a pair of switch blade members 48, 48 pivoted at a point intermediate their ends on the pin 44 on opposite sides of arm 43 on cylinder 41, as best seen in FIG. 4. A compression spring 49 is pro vided between outer end washers 47, 47 on each end of the pin 44 and each switch blade 48 to laterally compress the blades 48, 48 toward each other.

Each switch blade 48 is curved in the plane of the blade to comprise a pair of angularly related portions or arms 50, 51 on opposite sides of the pivot point on pin 44, each arm portion 50 comprising a contact blade member and each arm 51 comprising a lever arm for rotating the blade 48 around its pivot pin 44.

A toggle link assembly comprised of a pair of link members 52, 52 is provided for directly rotating the blade members 48, 48, each link 52 being pivotally connected at one end to the outer end of lever arms 51, 51 by means of a pin 53 extending transversely through the outer ends of arms, 51, 51, with the links 52, 52 being held between the arms 51, 51. The outer end 60, 60 of each link 52, 52 is oifset away from its inner end so that the arms 60, 60 are spaced at the ends for attachment tothe operating assembly 19 as hereinafter described in detail.

The operating mechanism 19 comprises a tubular member 61 of a suitable conducting material, such as aluminum, and is adapted to be reciprocably received within the tubular member 32. A pin member 62 (FIG. is mounted transversely through the inner end of the tube 61 through a pair of opposing ear members 64 thus pivotally attaching the arms 60, 60 thereto between the sides of the tube 61. A compression spring 63 encircles the pin 62 to urge the arms 60, 6t) apart into electrically conducting engagement with the inner walls of tube 61.

The tube 61 is flat on the bottom for mounting a pair of axially extending parallel track members 65, 65 which straddle an integral track member 66 axially extending along the inner wall of tube 32. A pair of guide members 67, 67 on the inner walls of tube 32 serve to guide tube 61 along its path, which guide members terminate at stop means 68, 68 at the outer end of tube 32 to limit outward movement of tube 61.

An operating rod 711 having a diameter substantially smaller than the tube 61 is slidably and reciprocably re- J ceived in tube 61. A spacer 71 having substantially the same diameter as tube 61 is pinned to the inner end of rod by means of pin 72. A spacer 73 integral with the tube 61 is provided at the outer end thereof for spacing the rod 711 from the inner walls of tube 61. A compression spring 74 encircles the rod 76 within the tube 61, the ends of the spring bearing against the spacers 71 and 73 to provide quick-break action as hereinafter described.

At the outer end of the rod '70 there is provided a ring casting 79 fixed to the rod 70 in any suitable manner, and including thereon a ring member 80 suitable for engagement by a hook stick for reciprocally operating the rod '70. The casting 79 may be comprised of insulating material.

In considering the operation of the air-break switch as thus far described, it will be observed that in the fully open position as shown in FIG. 1, the rod 70 is in the fully withdrawn position with respect to tube 32 with the contact assembly 16 and are quenching assembly 18 at rest within the tube 32. In this position, the rib 33 on tube 32 is engaged with groove 42 in the arc quenching cylinder 41 and also is engaged between arms 56, 50 of contact blades 43, 48. It will be understood that when the rod 70 is moved to the left toward contact closing position, the rib 33 aligns the arc quenching cylinder 41 and contacts 50, 50 within the tube 32 to prevent twisting of these members and to guide the contacts 50, 50 into engagement with fixed contact member 46. The contact blades 48, 48 and link members 52, 52 are held in undercenter toggle relationship since the upper side of contacts 50, 50 bear against the rib 33 which prevents clockwise motion of blades 48, 48 about pivot 44 until the blades reach the area of the contact 40. At the same time, the arc quenching assembly 18 is fully enclosed in the intermediate portion 28 of tube 26 and is stopped against the outer end of the end portion 29 of tube 26 and thus comes to a stop as the contacts 48, 48 are positioned immediately opposite contacts 40. Further leftward movement of rod 74 to a fully closed position effects rapid clockwise motion of blades 48, 48 about pivot 44 into straddling gripping engagement with blade 40, thus effecting maximum electrical contact between blade 40 and blades 50, 5c.

In eifecting a contact separation operation of the airbreak switch, as thus far described, it will be understood from the foregoing that the rod 70 is moved to the right from the above-described fully closed position, effecting rapid counterclockwise motion of blades 48, 48 about pivot 44 to effect contact separation, the blades 48, 48 being fully rotated to the position shown as they engage and slide upon the rib 33 in tube 32. The stop pins 45, 45 bear laterally against the blades 50, 50 to prevent counterclockwise motion beyond the undercenter position as shown in FIG. 1. As the blades 50, 50 disengage contact 40 and enter arc quenching tube 32, the arc is attenuated therein and the arc quenching assembly 18 enters the tube.

32 following the contacts to quench the arc in the arc chamber, that is, within the bore of tube 32.

To provide quick-break operation of the contact assemblies, there is provided a latch 81 pivotally mounted at one end in a slot 82 in the outer end of tube 32. The free end of the latch is a hooked portion 83 for latching engagement over the outer end of spacer 73 on tube 61 when the tube 61 is enclosed in the tube 32 in the fully closed position. The book 83 extends downwardly over spacer 73 and into a longitudinal slot 84 in the rod 70 and extending from the outer end of rod 70 a substantial distance along its length and having an inner terminal end portion 85 sloped upwardly to comprise a cam. The hook portion 83 includes a hook portion 86 adjacent a sloped sliding cam portion 37.

It will be understood from the foregoing that when the switch is in the fully closed position, the hook portion 86 engagesthe end of spacer 73 while cam portion 87 slides within slot 84 so that as the rod 70 is withdrawn during a contact opening operation, the tube 61 is latched in the closed position maintaining the contacts in the fully closed position while the rod is pulled to the right to compress spring 74 between spacers 72 and 73. Further movement of the rod to the right brings cam 85 into engagement with cam 87, raising it upwardly against the bias of a compression spring 77 fixed on a mounting 78 on plate 37, thus effecting release of latch 81 and allowing release of the stored energy in spring 74 to urge tube 61 outwardly thus quickly effecting disengagement between the contacts 16 and 40. V

A disconnect switch generally indicated at 90, isconnected in series relationship with the air-break switch and comprises an upper contact assembly 91 and pivoted blade assembly 92.

The upper contact assembly comprises a pair of spaced ear members 93, 93 (only one shown) integral with and extending outwardly from plate 38. A transversebolt 94 connects the ears 93. I

The blade assembly 90 comprises a laterally extending insulator 95 fixedly attached to the tank wall 13 by a ring clamp 96 similar to the previously described clamp 21. A terminal pad 97 is fixed to the outer end of insulator 95 as by bolts 98. An apertured ear member '99is provided integral with and laterally extending from pad 97 for pivotally supporting a switch blade 100 attached hereto as by a bolt 101. A terminal clamp 102 is attached to a support arm 103 on the pad 97.

The disconnect blade 100 includes at its upper end on theinner side a notch 104 releasably engageable with bolt outer end of conducting tube 61 in the air-break switch connect blade 100 for hook stick operation of the blade.

In order to prevent improper sequencing of operation of the air-break switch 10 and the disconnect switch 90, there is provided an extension 107 on the upper end of blade 100 to be engagedby a catch bottom of the outer end of tube 61 as the switch 10 is being closed, to thus carry the blade 100 into engagement with contacts 91 before. engagement of the contact assemblies of the switch 10, and to prevent an opening operation of disconnect blade 100 until after an opening operation of switch 10.

1n the event the disconnect blade is fully open the switch 10 is closed so that the catch 108 does not engage extension'107, there is provided a spacer 109 on the lower end of ring casting 79 "to cover contacts 91 of the disconnect switch'when the switch 10 is closed, thus preventing closure of disconnect switch 90.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 to 80f the drawings, there is shown a second embodiment of the invention in a loadbreak switch, generally indicated at 200, substantially the same as that described above and shown in combination with a-quick-break, quick-make device, generally indicated at 201, for operation of the switch 200.

The interrupter portion 202, a fixed contact assembly 203, a movable contact assembly 204, and an arc quenching device 205.

The support device 202 comprises a high voltage bushing 206 fixedly mounted to andiextending through transformer tank wall 207. ,The bushing includes a central bore 208 including an inner portion 209 having a diameter slightly larger than the outer portion 210, Received within the inner portion 209 of bore 208 is a first tubular member 211, which may be comprised of insulating arc quenching material, and which may be fixedly attached to the inner wall of bore 209 by any suitable means, such as pin means (not shown). A second tubular member 212 is received in the outer bore portion 210 and is threadedly received a substantial distance within the first A pair of opposed notches 106, 106 are provided in dis 108 fixed on the 200 comprises a support device tubular member 211. Suitable pin means (not shown) may fix the tubular member 212 to the inner walls of outer cavity portion 210. The tubular member 212 is preferably comprised of suitable arc quenching material.

Threadedly received within the inner end of the first tubular member 211 is a plug 213 having a centrally depressed portion 214 on the forward end thereof serving as a stop for an arc quenching member to be hereinafter described in detail,

The plug is comprised of electrically conducting material 'for carrying current from a cable (not shown) connected to the high voltage side of a transformer (not shown) Within the tank wall 207. r

The fixed contact assembly 203, shown in more dethe innerwall of tubular member 211 with the bight portion 216 electrically attached tothe forward end of the conducting plug 213 by any suitable-means, such as rivets or brazing, and with the within a longitudinal slot 217 in the .wall of the second tubular member 212, as shown in FIG. 8. A pair of laterally opposing slots 218, 218 are provided transversely of slot217 for receiving and seating springs 219, 219,

each compressed between the base of one slot 218 and one of the ends of leg members 215, 215 of contact assembly 203, thus urging the contacts toward each other to tightly grip a movable contact member therebetween as hereinafter described. The end'portions 220, 220 of legs 21 5, 215 are wider than their respective shanks and may be tapered to diverge at their outer ends 223, 223 to serve as a contact spreader and a guide for the incoming movable contact as hereinafter described. It will be ob served in FIG. 6 that the lateral dimension of the contact legs 215 is substantially the same as the thickness of the second tubular member 212 so as to permit unobstructed passage of the arc quenching means and movable contact means through the bore of tubular member 212, and at the same'tirne, provide sufficient width of the legs 215, 215 for maximum contact area between the movable contact and fixed contact assembly 203.

The are quenching means 205 is comprised of a solid 8 on the order of .010 inch, for example, to provide a very powerful are quenching action within the tubular member 212. The forward end of the cylinder 205 carries an integral pair of spaced parallel arms 220, 220 (only one shown) extending parallel to and symmetrically positioned with respect to the axis of the cylinder 205 and serving as support means for the movable contact as hereinafter described in detail. v

The movable contact assembly 204 includes a main contact blade 221 pivotally mounted at a point intermediate its ends for rotation about a pivot pin 222 extending transversely of the axis of cylinder 205 and through the extension 220 on cylinder 205. The blade 221 is curved in the plane of the blade away from its axis to comprise a pair of angularly related end portions 226, 227 on'opposite sidesof the pivot 222, with end portion 226 comprising a switch blade portion engageable between the previously described fixed contact legs 215, 215, as shown iniFIG. 5, andwith the other end portion 227 comprising an operating lever arm, as' hereinafter described. i

tact blade 221. The outer end of rod 228 carries an integral operating ring 229 suitable for engagement by a leg portions 215 extending.

hook stick. The inner end of rod 223 comprises an olfset portion 236 within the plane of the rod and parallel with the rod axis, and is pivotally attached at its end by means of pivot 231 to the free end of lever arm 227.

The foregoing construction of operating rod end portion 230 and contact blade 221 comprises a toggle contact mechanism operable to effect engagement and disengagement between the contact arm 225 relative to legs 215, 215 of fixed contact assembiy 203.

In the operation of the air-break switch thus far described, the closed position of the switch is illustrated in FIG; 6 with the rear end of the arc quenching cylinder 205 engaging seat 214 on the forward end of plug 213, and with the blade 226 engaged between the gripping portions 220 of contact legs 215, 215. When the rod 228 is pulled outwardly to the right of the tubular member 212, in a manner hereinafter described, the contact blade 221 is pulled out from between the gripping portions 220, 220, and the blade arm 226 engages the forward end of slot 217, whereupon further rightward movement of rod 228 pulls upon lever arm 227 effecting clockwise rotation of blade 221 about pivot 222 substantially 90 so that the contact blade 221 may pass outwardly-through the bore of tubular member 212, to thus lengthen the arc. The contact blade 221 is immediately followed by the arc quenching, gas evolving cylinder member 205 which assists in extinguishing the arc. The offset portion 230 of rod 228 holds the pivot 231 slightly above pivot point 222 with respect to the axis of the tube 212 and cylinder 205 when the contact blade 221 is sliding within the cylinder 212, thus holding the contact blade 221 and rodend 227 in slightly under-center toggle relationship so that reverse motion of the rod to the left inwardly of the tubular member 212 to close the contacts will assure that the blade will rotate counterclockwise about pivot 226 to effect engagement between contact blade 226 and fixed gripping portions 220 of the contact legs 215, 215.

To close the contacts, the rod 228 is pushed to the left rotating the blade 221 counterclockwise until its ends engage the inner wall of tubular member 212, whereby it is restricted from further rotation until the blade arm 226 reaches the slot 217, whereupon the blade pivots quickly to the fully collapsed position shown in FIG. 6, thus quickly sliding between the guides 223 into engagement with gripping portions 220, 220, just as the rear of cylinder 205 reaches stop 214.

A quick-make, quick-break mechanism 201 is provided for operating the above-described switch mechanism, and comprises a spring toggle mechanism generally indicated at 238, and an operating mechanism generally indicated at 239, all mounted in a support housing 240.

4 The support housing 240 includes a top wall 241, a pair of side walls 242, 242 (only one shown). The housing may be constructed of suitable insulating material to shield the parts from accidental contact. A flanged portion 245 is provided on the inner end of the wall 241 for receiving and gripping the outer end of bushing 2516. A poletype insulator 246 extends upwardly from a pad (not shown) or other support which serves as a support for the tank 207 aswell. A line terminal 247 is afiixed to a conducting support member 244 attached to the top end of insulator support 246; The support 244 extends upwardly for engagement with the operating mechanism 239 as hereinafter described. A cable 248 is attached to the terminal and extends downwardly for below ground connection to a suitable underground loop circuit for the transformer.

The operating mechanism 239 includes a conducting support member 251 fixedly mounted within the housing 240 on the conducting support member 244. A pair of integral, spaced, upwardly extending support arms 252, 252, are provided laterally on the support member 251 for carrying a portion of the operating toggle mechanism 238 as hereinafter described. A pair of apertured upstanding opposing guide members 253, 253 are provided on the ends of the support member, the guide members being aligned parallel to the axis of the'previously described contact rod 228. An operating rod 254, which may be comprised of insulating material, is slidably received through the apertured ears 153, 153 and includes on its outer end an integral ring member 255 extending outwardly of housing 240 and having a diameter larger than the aperture in the ear members 253, 253.

The spring toggle 238 includes a pair of toggle link members 260, 269, which together comprise a toggle member. The links 260 are comprised of conducting material, each having an end pivotally attached at pivots 256 to one of the support members 252, 252 on the support 251, and converging toward the upper ends where they are joined by a pin 261. The pin 261 rides within an upwardly extending slot 262 in the bottom of rod 228. A spring member 263 is stretched between a pivot member 264 on the rod 228 adjacent slot 262 and an aperture 265 on the rod 254 between the ear members 253, 253 and adjacent the inner ear 253.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the stretched spring 263 provides a tight contact pressure between rod 228 and link 26%) and between rod 254 and support ears 253.

Also from the foregoing, it will be seen that the spring 263 acts as a toggle member holding rod 228 in the contact closing position as shown in FIG. 1. When the rod 254 is pulled outwardly to the right, stretching spring 263, the rod 228 remains in the contact closing position until pivot point 265 on rod 254 is aligned with arm 260, whereafter further outward movement of rod 254 applies an outward resultant moment of force upon rod 228 which effects rightward movement of the rod 228 to the broken line position with a snap action for rapidly operating the switch. Similarly when the rod 254 is moved to the left, the rod 228 is moved to the left with a snap action from the broken line position to the fully closed position, as shown, to effect rapid closing of the switch.

When the contact rod 228 is drawn to its extreme right position, as indicated in broken lines, it is then, and only then, possible to obtain access to the ring 229 by means of a hook stick. Thus the contact rod 228 can be lifted off bearing pin 261 and engaged on a projection mounted on the inside of one wall 242 so that a visible disconnect is obtained. This is an important safety feature.

' If it is desired to ground theswitch blade, as for example when the cable is to be repaired, the hook stick can be used to engage link 260 and pull it out and down from the broken line position until it engages grounded jaws 275 on the inside of wall 242. If desired, a removable insulating block (not shown) may normally cover jaws 275 to prevent unintentional grounding.

As an alternate construction for grounding the switch blade reference is made to FIG. 9 wherein there is shown a grounded flexible cable 270 having an eye 271 at one end engageable by a hook stick for connection to a pin 272 on blade 260.

Since certain changes may be made in the abovedescribed construction and different embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit or scope thereof, it is intended that .all the matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be construed as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

I claim as iiiy invention:

1. A circuit interrupter, comprising: fixed contact means; a toggle mechanism having a reset condition and a collapsed condition; operating means operable to carry said toggle mechanism toward and away from said fixed contact means; means for maintaining said toggle mechanism in the reset position only until the toggle mechanism is adjacent the fixed contacts; contact means carried by said toggle mechanism for engaging said fixed contacts only when the toggle mechanism is in the collapsed condition.

2. A circuit interrupter, comprising: support means; xed contact means on said support means; operating means reciprocably mounted on said support means; a toggle mechanism connected to said operating means; said toggle mechanism being urged toward the collapsed condition under the thrust provided by movement of the operating means toward the fixed contact means, and being urged toward the toggle reset position under the pull provided by the operating means inits movement away from the fixed contact means; stop means on said support engageable with said toggle mechanism when the toggle mechanism is adjacentthe fixed contact means to assist collapse of said toggle as the operating means is moved toward the fixed contact means; contact blade means carried by the toggle mechanism for gripping engagement with the fixed contact means when the toggle mechanism is collapsed; and stop means on the support means engageable with the toggle mechanism to efi'ect resetting of the toggle mechanism as the operating means is moved away from the fixed contact means.

3. A circuit interrupter, comprising: a tubular member; a cavity on the inner wall of the tubular member; fixed contact means disposed in said cavity; a toggle mechanism disposed in said tubular member; contact means carried by said toggle mechanism and operable to engage said fixed contact means when the mechanism is collapsed, and to disengage said fixed contact when the mechanism is reset; an operating means mounted for reciprocal movement to two positions in said tubular member and operable when moved to one position to collapse saidtoggle mechanism and operable when moved to the other position to reset said toggle mechanism.

4. A circuit interrupter, comprising: a tubular member; a cavity in the inner wall of said tubular member; fixed contact means disposed in said cavity; a toggle mechanism disposed in said tubular member, an operating rod mounted for reciprocal movement in said tubular member to actuate said toggle mechanism between two operating conditions; movable contact means actuated by said toggle mechanism to engage and disengage said fixed contact means when said rod is moved between predetermined positions in said tubular member.

A circuit interrupter, comprising: a tubular member;

fixed contact means disposed on a portion of the inner wall of said tubular member; support means mounted for reciprocal movement within said tubular member; an operating rod mounted for reciprocal movement within said tubular member; toggle means connecting said support means to said operating rod; a movable contact means; said toggle means including a member carrying said movable contact means and operable to eifect engagement between said movable contact means and said fixed contact means when the toggle mechanism is collapsed at a point adjacent the fixed contact means; means maintaining said toggle mechanism in the reset position within the tubular member until the toggle mechanism reaches said point; stop means in said tube engageable with said support to stop said toggle mechanism adjacent said fixed contact means and to assist in effecting collapse of said toggle mechanism.

6. A circuit interrupter, comprising: a tubular member; a cavity in the inner wall of said tubular member; elongated contact means fixed in said cavity and extending parallel to the axis of said tubular member; a cylindrical support means slidable in said tubular. member and having a diameter substantially the same as the tubular member; a pivotal support on said cylindrical support means extending transversely of said cylindrical support means; a contact blade pivotally mounted on said support means and rotatable into and out of engagement with said fixed contact means; toggle means connected to said contact blade and collapsible to rotate said contact blade into engagement with said fixed contact means; an operating member mounted for reciprocal movement within said tubular member and connected to said toggle mechanism r '10 to effect collapse thereof when thrust toward the fixed contact means and to effect reset thereof when drawn away from said fixed contact means; said tubular member having portions of the inner wall thereof bearing against said toggle mechanism and said contact blade to maintain the toggle mechanism in reset thrust transmission condition during movement of the rod toward the fixed contact means only until the toggle mechanism is adjacent the fixed contact means; and stop means on said tubular member engageable with said support means to stop said toggle mechanism adjacent the fixed contact means and to assist collapse of the toggle mechanism to effect contact engagement. i

7. A circuit interrupter, comprising: a tubular member; a cavity in the inner wall of said tubular member; fixed contact means disposed in said cavity; a cylinder slidable within said tubular member over said fixed contact means and having a diameter substantially the same as the tubular member; sm'd cylinder having at least the outer wall thereof comprised of arc quenching material; an operating rod slidable within said tubular member; a collapsible toggle mechanism connecting said rod to said cylinder; contact means on said toggle means engageable with said fixed contact means when the toggle mechanism is col- I lapsed adjacent the fixed contact means; said toggle mechanism being adapted to collapse in response to inward thrustof the operating rod and being adapted to reset in response to withdrawal movementof the operating rod; portions of said inner wall bearing against the toggle mechanism and contact to prevent collapse of the toggle mechanism until the toggle mechanism is adjacent the fixed contact means.

8. A circuit interrupter, comprising: a support; fixed contact means on said support; movable contact means; a first member movable with respect to said support and carrying said movable contact means into and out of ent gagementwith said fixed contact means; a second member movable with respect to said first member; a resilient means connecting said second member to said first member to store energy when said first and second members are moved apart; latch means on said support for engaging said first movable member to hold said first movable member with respect to said support when the contact means are in the closed condition; latch release means on said second movable member for releasing said latch when the second member has been pulled away from said first member a predetermined distance to store energy in said resilient means, whereupon release of said first member effects quick-break contact separation.

. 9. A combined circuit interrupter and disconnect switch, comprising: a circuit interrupter including separable contacts and a contact operating member movable in a first direction to efiect separation of the contacts and movable in a second direction to close said contacts; a disconnect switchconnected in series with said circuit interrupter and including fixed contacts and a contact blade movable in said first directionto effect disengagement between said contact blade and said fixed contacts, and movable in said second direction to effect engagement between said contact blade and said fixed contacts; catch means on said contact operating member engageable with said contact blade when said member is moved in said second direction to effect engagement between said contact blade and said corresponding contacts before the interrupter contacts are closed when the movable member is moved in said second direction; said catch preventing an opening of the disconnect switch until the interrupter is opened.

10. A circuit interrupter, comprising: separable contacts; an operating member movable in a first direction to eifect separation of said contacts and movable in a reverse direction to effect closure of said contacts; a toggle mechanism releasably connected to said operating member for effecting quick-break, quick-make operation of said contacts; said toggle mechanism including a current carrying link releasably bearing against the operating.

1 ll member, and toggle spring means biasing said link and said operating member into engagement; and, an additional bearing surface on said member for the application of force overriding the spring bias to effect disengagement between the link and the member for elfecting disconnect operation.

- 11. A circuit interrupter, comprising: separable contacts; an operating member movable in a first direction to efiect separation of said contacts and movable in a reverse direction to effect closure of said contacts; a toggle mechanism releasably connected to said operating member for effecting quick-break, quick-make operation of said contacts; said toggle mechanism including a current carrying link releasably bearing against the operating memher, and toggle spring means biasing said link and said operating member into engagement; an additional bearing; surface on said operating member for the application of force overriding the spring bias to effect disengagement between the link and the member for efiecting disconnect operation, support means adjacent said operating member for receiving said operating member after disengagement between said operating member and said link; and, grounded contact means for engaging said link after disengagement between said link and said operating member.

12. A circuit interrupter, comprising: separable contacts; an operating member movable in a first direction to effect separation of said contacts and movable in a reverse direction to elfect closure of said contacts; a toggle mechanism releasably connected to said operating member for efiecting quick-break, quick-make operation of said contacts; said toggle mechanism including a current carrying link releasably bearing against the operating member, and toggle spring means biasing said link and said operating member into engagement; and, an additional hearing surface on said operating member for the application of force overriding the spring bias to effect disengagement between the link and the operating member for efiecting disconnect operation, support means adjacent said operating member for receiving said operating member after disengagement between said operating member and said link; and, electrically grounded cable means movable into engagement with said link.

13. A circuit interrupter, comprising, a tubular member; a cavity in the inner wall of said tubular member;

ible to rotate said contact blade into engagement with said fixed contact means; an operating member mounted for reciprocal movement within said tubular member and connected to said toggle mechanism to effect collapse thereof when thrust toward the fixed contact means and to efiject reset thereof when drawn away from said fixed contact means; said tubular member having portions of the inner wall thereof bearing against said toggle mechanism and said contact blade to maintain the toggle mechanism in reset thrust transmission condition during movement of the rod toward the fixed contact means only until the toggle mechanism is adjacent the fixed contact means; and stop means on said tubular member engageable with said support means to stop said toggle mechanism adjacent the fixed contact means and to assist collapse of the toggle mechanism to effect contact engagement.

14. A circuit interrupter, comprising: a tubular memher; a cavity in the inner wall of said tubular member; fixed contact means disposed in said cavity; a cylinder :siidable within said tubular member over said fixed contact means and having a diameter substantially the same as the tubular member; said cylinder having at least the outer wall thereof comprised of highly polymerized formaldehyde; an operating rod slidable within said tubular member; a collapsible toggle mechanism connecting said rod to said cylinder; contact means on said toggle means engageable with said fixed contact means when the toggle .echanism is collapsed adjacent the fixed contact means; said toggle mechanism being adapted to collapse in response to inward thrust of the operating rod and being adapted to reset in response to withdrawal movement of the operating rod; portions of said inner wall bearing against the toggle mechanism and contact to prevent collapse of the toggle mechanism until the toggle mechanism is adjacent the fixed contact means.

15. A circuit interrupter, comprising: a tubular member; at least a portion of said tubular member being formed from highly polymerized formaldehyde, a cavity on the inner wall of the tubular member; fixed contact means disposed in said cavity; a toggle mechanism disposed in said tubular member; contact means carried by said toggle mechanism and operable to engage said fixed contact means when the mechanism is collapsed, and to disengage said fixed contact when the mechanism is reset; an operating means mounted for reciprocal movement to two postions in said tubular member and operable when moved to one position to collapse said toggle mechanism and operable when moved to the other position to reset said toggle mechanism.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,109,216 Hufistutter Feb. 22, 1938, 

4. A CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER, COMPRISING: A TUBULAR MEMBER; A CAVITY IN THE INNER WALL OF SAID TUBULAR MEMBER; FIXED CONTACT MEANS DISPOSED IN SAID CAVITY; A TOGGLE MECHANISM DISPOSED IN SAID TUBULAR MEMBER, AN OPERATING ROD MOUNTED FOR RECIPROCAL MOVEMENT IN SAID TUBULAR MEMBER TO ACTUATE SAID TOGGLE MECHANISM BETWEEN TWO OPERAT- 